. >> yee. >> what does scenario looking look going off the fiscal cliff for a short time and long period of time. what are the scenarios. >> talk about what happens if we don't get a settlement on tax issue january 1st. means starting january 1st, january 2nd, 100 million americans will start paying much higher taxes on payroll, more money withheld on their income taxes. the average american worker with an income, say, 40 to $75,000 a year, is going to pay $2500 more per year in taxes. it is a big hit, jenna, a big hit to the u.s. economy if we don't get this settled sometime very soon. jenna: what about the conversations being had right now about our fiscal health, steve? we talk a lot about taxes. a lot about spending cuts. where is the focus on growth and building a bigger, better america? where is that conversation? >> well that's a great question. that is one of the frustrations i have had with these discussions. if we want to get the fiscal health in better order as you just said we have to get the economic growth going. we have to get more americans working. all of this talk about